China seems blessed to have a crop of gifted young
volleyball players and their string of successes with the age-group
competitions this season has the volleyball world humming.

Talking post-match about his team’s win at the U23
World Championship Open, coach Xu Jiande was quick to play down his team’s
success saying, “The match was played at a very high level and could have gone
to either side. Tonight luck worked in our favour.” But even to the casual
observer it was clear that luck played a very small part in their success in
Mexico.

That China was in fighting form against some tough
competition from the Dominican Republic, Brazil, the United States and Japan is
no fluke.

“Comparatively speaking, the Chinese team is more
balanced,” said legendary Chinese volleyball player Feng Kun, who joined the
team’s entourage as its manager in Mexico. “Our players have both good
volleyball skills and some advantage over the net.” Not surprising considering
that team members for the U23 World Championship were picked from eight well
established provincial and municipal volleyball clubs from around the country.

“After the announcement of the drawing of lots, we
had the feeling that we were drawn into the ‘Group of Death’,” said Kun. “We
didn't know much about the other teams and we didn't think we were a very
strong team and we didn't expect too much. Fortunately our team played better
and better and consecutive victories kept boosting our confidence as well. I am
happy that the players have proved their abilities.”

While solid team work was vital, Kun also praised
new setter Yao Di, who was largely responsible for the organisation of the
team’s attack. “It’s the first time I saw her play and I was quite impressed,”
said an enthusiastic Kun. And Kun (nicknamed ‘Panda’) should know a good setter
when she sees one having earned the unofficial title as the best setter in the
world during her illustrious career.

Off the courts, a significant amount of work is
being done at the grass roots level to ensure that China continues to unearth,
develop and nurture budding talent in volleyball as well as football and
basketball.

The decision to add U19 competitions for these
sports into the official programme of the 2013 Chinese National Games, has
resulted in many regional teams and clubs increasing their investment in young
players over the last few years. The core aims of this policy is to provide the
country’s sporting stars of the future with the opportunity to gain valuable
experience in a more competitive environment, easing their transition into
senior levels.

And China’s sport development policies are
certainly beginning to reap benefits.

China’s World Grand Prix squad this season included
a number of young players who took to the courts alongside more experienced
players like Yimei Wang, Ruoqi Hui, Junjing Yang, Yunwen Ma, Lei Zhang and
libero Xian Zhang.

Finishing
with a silver medal at the 2013 World Grand Prix, following some disappointing
results in recent years, definitely bodes well for the country’s senior
national team in the run up to the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio.